American Muslim organizations rally on during Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's visit
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A Demonstration in support of Rohingya political and human rights in Burma/Myanmar, took place in front of the Queens College in New York City on September 22, 2012 During Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Visit . The event was organized by the New York chapter of the Burma Task Force, in coordination with its members, the Burmese Rohingya Association of North America (BRANA) and Free Rohingya Campaign based in New York City.
The major driving forces behind the rally in the organization by the Burma Task Force (NY) were Islamic Circle of North America (New York Chapter), Over 100 people participated in the rally. Several dignitaries, Muslim leaders, human right advocates, and Rohingya activists from the United States also addressed the rally in solidarity with the Rohingya victims of Arakan in Burma, and the Rohingya community worldwide.
Oregon Rally
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About 800 people had gathered at Pioneer Square Portland Oregon to show support to the persecuted Rohingya community in Arakan Burma. The event was jointly organized by Free Rohingya campaign, Burma task force USA, Oregon Rohingya Society and Myanmar Muslim Civilized Movement.
People from 10 Islamic centers, Muslim Educational Trust(MET),Coalition of Good Faith, together with ORSUSA ,Free Rohingya Campaign and Human Right conscious people attended the rally . Local news such as Oregonian newspaper and Asian News Reporter were impressed by the solidarity shown by participants. The main speaker of the event was Rev. Dr. Chuck Cooper, Ronault LS Catalani From New Portlander Programs, Prof Gulzar Ahamd from Crescent Systems, Inc and Interfaith leader of Portland. Yusuf Iqbal was interviewed by Radio Free Asia while demonstration was going on with the slogan of “Free Rohingya, Human Right for Rohingya and etc, according to Mr. Yusuf Iqbal who is organizer of the event.
The protesters had distributed flyers and booklets to the pedestrians and demanded the followings to Myanmar Government;
- Freedom of Religious
- Peaceful coexistence in Bumra
- Human Right for Rohingya
- Restore citizenship right of Rohingya which was taken away By General Newin
- To Stop Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide
- To Stop racial segregation in Arakan Burma
- To free Political Rohinyga prisoners
- Not to stop rebuilding villages and mosques at original places
- To stop harassing Rohingya man and woman by security forces
They also demanded USA government to engage actively to stop genocide in Burma with the collection of ten thousand signatures. They also urge Burmese Democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to be courageous in fighting racist people without thinking political correctness just like she fought with military junta for many years. Human Right should be the right of all human being regardless of race, religious or ethnic origin and if there is violation everyone should speak up.
The participant of this rally had determined to form a coalition to work for the freedom of Rohingya by working with USA State Department and Congress.
RB News Desk
Interview of Mr. Yusuf Iqbal ( Oregon ) and Nay San Oo ( NYC)
